About
Captain Ed is a father and grandfather living in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota, a native Californian who moved to the North Star State because of the weather. He lives with his wife Marcia, also known as the First Mate, their two dogs, and frequently watch their granddaughter Kayla, whom Captain Ed calls The Little Admiral.
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The Crows Nest
Ensign Calls For Return Of MoveOn Money
NRSC chair Senator John Ensign calls for Democrats to return all campaign funds donated by MoveOn, after their despicable New York Times ad today accusing David Petraeus of treason. "If Senate Democrats are serious about moving our country forward, they will denounce this outrageous ad and return the campaign funds MoveOn.org has lavished on them as well as the donations made through MoveOn.org -- the choice is theirs." Ensign's right, but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for the refund ...
Support The Al-Dura Petition
Roger Simon at Pajamas Media is circulating a petition to demand accountability for the discredited al-Dura report from France's Channel 2. This is, as Roger calls it, the "Father of all Fauxtography," and C-2 has never acknowledged its fault in airing the supposed murder of a Palestinian child. He wants C-2 to show all of the unedited footage of the incident in order to show that C-2 faked the murder. If they're resisting the demand, I'd say they have something to hide ....
There Goes The Undefeated Season
Notre Dame managed to get its first loss out of the way as soon as possible -- and as badly as possible. Georgia Tech came to South Bend and stomped the Irish, 33-3, in the worst home opener loss in school history. The offense fumbled twice and allowed seven sacks on Evan Sharpley, who must have longed to have Brady Quinn back on the field instead. If Charlie Weis doesn't turn this debacle around fast, he may want to start asking Ty Willingham for some career counseling ....
Would Early Primaries Allow More Donations?
Jim Geraghty at The Campaign Spot believes that candidates will benefit if primaries and caucuses get pushed into 2007. A loophole in campaign finance regulation appears to allow an extra $2,300 per donor for candidates if those elections are held this year. Be sure to check out Jim's analysis, and the surprising candidate that may benefit the most.
When Tom Met Jeralyn
One of the interesting aspects of politics is finding out that opponents are people, too. Jeralyn Merritt of TalkLeft met Rep. Tom Tancredo backstage at NBC's studios, and found him more likable than she had anticipated. Perhaps it was their mutual interest in Dog, The Bounty Hunter ...
Joe Lieberman A Right-Wing Nut?
That's what CAIR says, according to Joe Kaufman. He has a link to a CAIR official's blog post that calls Lieberman, along with John Bolton, former CIA director James Woolsey, and the Heritage Foundation's Peter Brookes as "extremists". Affad Shaikh also calls Dick Cheney a "fat bastard of a liar," apparently not meant as a pop-culture reference to the Austin Powers movies. (via Let Freedom Ring)
Broadband Homelessness
The Japanese have made homelessness more efficient, and more Net-friendly, too. Their Internet cafés have become homeless shelters for the struggling manual-labor sector. The problem has grown into such a problem that government intervention will shortly become a political priority.
Found My Law Firm
Power Line links twice to this story regarding an attorney at Faegre & Benson who refused to become a victim and helped capture a very dangerous man. Keith Radtke is a partner in the firm as is Power Line's John Hinderaker. Radtke is listed in satisfactory condition after getting shot in the back, but that didn't keep him from locking up his attacker in a wrestling grip until police could arrive. I don't know about you, but that's the kind of man I'd want as my counsel ....
Don't Click That YouTube E-mail
The latest in spam seems to be redirections from YouTube links in e-mail to IP addresses without domain names. They attempt to entice people by making it seem that they have been inadvertently YouTubed. I'm sure most people can see through this scam, but just in case, you've been warned ....
Rick Moran Escapes The Floods
Rick Moran has kept us up to date on his travails along the Algonquin River. Yesterday, the police showed up to get him evacuated before the river flooded his home -- but today, Rick finds that a minor miracle has taken place, and that his house survives ... at least for now. Keep Rick in your prayers, and keep checking in at Right Wing Nut House for updates.
Rule 1: Drag The Corpse On Over First
If I've learned anything in four years of blogging, don't try to be out in front of the death rumors, especially with the villains of the world. Saddam died a hundred deaths before we caught him alive in his spider hole, and Abu Musab al-Zarqawi almost as many before his demise last year. Osama may or may not be alive, but everyone's avoided speculating on his fate for a while now. Maybe Val at Babalu Blog will get luckier with his "Castro Is Dead" story. We all hope so. I'll wait for the announcement ....
Hobbs Choice
Volunteer Voters is holding its annual "Best of Nashville" on-line polls, and one of the categories is for the best political writer. Our friend Bill Hobbs, now posting at Newsbusters, and he'd like his on-line fans to cast their votes. Drop by and put one in for Bill if you get a chance!
Murtha Getting Backlogged On Apologies
Gary Gross of Let Freedom Ring sees another case collapsing on the Haditha charges. He's called for Murtha to apologize earlier, and adds another reason to the tally.
No Such Thing As 'Moderate' Islam?
Turkish PM Tayyip Erdogan told a television interviewer that he finds the label "moderate Islam" offensive. Shrink Wrapped has a lot more on this, but at least in the same interview Erdogan acknowledged that "radical Islam" exists, and that it's been a catastrophe. Be sure to read the whole post.
MS-NBC Gets Punk'd
Power Line has a great post on a lack of journalistic effort on the part of MS-NBC. In covering the Michael Vick story, they reported on what they thought was Al Sharpton's website proclaiming Vick's innocence. I guess Alex Johnson and two other MS-NBC reporters couldn't bother to read the title bar of the site, which proudly proclaims it as a "parody site".
Comments (16)
Posted by Papa Ray | September 9, 2007 10:40 AM
Jeez, this is a good idea. I really hope it gets the internet attention that it deserves.
But, I still know that most Americans don't even use the internet for more than porn, recipes, music, weird videos and other non-essentials.
Oh, they may log on to the major news feeds or even some blogs, but all and all they are unaware of what is going on or even available on the internet.
Not to say that it won't continue to grow and be a very powerful force in the future. But everyone here needs to understand that millions of Americans that vote don't even have computers or if they do, they don't use them like "we" do.
They say that ignorance is more expensive than the best education. Very true and that fact needs to be addressed.
If you are here, right now, reading this. You need to get out in your community and relay the knowlege and information that you have to others that are not so informed.
You need to take a very active, proactive stance, not only with your immediate circle of friends and such but at community meetings, city meetings, county meetings and even in your church, your b-b-qs, and when your in the coffee shops or local bars.
Inform and educate those that just don't know, don't want to know, don't give a crap or don't even know enough to know that they are ignorant.
Ignorance is not something we need now in America, we need informed citizens, involved citizens and concerned citizens.
Do your part, it may be the most important part in this life you have ever had.
Papa Ray
West Texas
USA
Posted by crossdotcurve | September 9, 2007 11:30 AM
Thompson is obviously not ready for prime time. The guy is a joke. I love this quote from National Review:
"Fred Thompson came to the offices of National Review some years when he was still in the Senate. I liked him fine. He has done nothing, anywhere, ever. The Hubble Telescope could not find what he has done, because he has not done it. It would be unwise to put such a man in the White House at this moment in history."
- Rick Brookhiser, NRO.
Posted by flenser | September 9, 2007 12:00 PM
Rick Brookhiser is a liberal. If he dislikes Thompson then the man must have something going for him.
Posted by heather | September 9, 2007 12:23 PM
after all Bush's terms, the USA will go for someone charismatic who can LEAD them, take control of the MSM in other words. This is why I think (I'm a Canadian, so...) either Fred or Giuliani will/should win the Republican nomination. And why I think Hillary has a very up hill climb.
Also, I think GW Bush will be seen, historically, as a very great president. Iraq puts him near the top tier of American - and World - leaders. However. He lacks charisma.
Posted by Barnestormer | September 9, 2007 12:25 PM
True enough, Fred lacks some of the commodity trading, real estate development, health care planning, and vast conspiracy theorizing a key potential rival can claim.
But, he served in the U.S. Senate longer than Hillary, practiced law and served in a higher staff capacity on a Watergate committee than she.
Who would have guessed Rick's "doing something" would so heavily emphasize spousal status and Chinese fundraising?
Posted by KendraWilder | September 9, 2007 1:19 PM
Sure hope someone working with FT's campaign team will take the time to make a transcript available at his website of the questions and Fred's answers.
Although we finally have WiFi locally.... it's nine miles down the road, and we only get to that area about once a week.
Other than that, audio download is nearly impossible for us here in the upper midwest countryside.....with dialup access at 28.8 kbps being about average..... and that's on good weather days. :-/
Posted by Papa Ray | September 9, 2007 1:20 PM
Jeez, this is a good idea. I really hope it gets the internet attention that it deserves.
But, I still know that most Americans don't even use the internet for more than porn, recipes, music, weird videos and other non-essentials.
Oh, they may log on to the major news feeds or even some blogs, but all and all they are unaware of what is going on or even available on the internet.
Not to say that it won't continue to grow and be a very powerful force in the future. But everyone here needs to understand that millions of Americans that vote don't even have computers or if they do, they don't use them like "we" do.
They say that ignorance is more expensive than the best education. Very true and that fact needs to be addressed.
If you are here, right now, reading this. You need to get out in your community and relay the knowlege and information that you have to others that are not so informed.
You need to take a very active, proactive stance, not only with your immediate circle of friends and such but at community meetings, city meetings, county meetings and even in your church, your b-b-qs, and when your in the coffee shops or local bars.
Inform and educate those that just don't know, don't want to know, don't give a crap or don't even know enough to know that they are ignorant.
Ignorance is not something we need now in America, we need informed citizens, involved citizens and concerned citizens.
Do your part, it may be the most important part in this life you have ever had.
Papa Ray
West Texas
USA
Posted by Carol Herman | September 9, 2007 1:23 PM
OUT'DA NOWHERE.
Did you know that Americans can elect a president without previous experience? Did you know Lincoln had NO DC experience to think of. And, his "military experience" was limited to a fight with Black Hawk indians. He said he was all geared up. But he and his men shot at no one. That's about as far as his "military experiences" went.
So, when people make fun of Fred Thompson, let them.
I'm open to listening to the debates. The republicans actually have stuff I care to watch. The Bonkeys do not this. Even reporting parties at Oprah's home, fail to amuse me.
On the other hand, today, I went to Amazon and bought the movie "MARIE." 1985. The true story that flipped Fred Thompson out of politics, and into the movie business.
It's not as if "hitting markers" doesn't count for points, ya know? I sure wish our President, now, was more adept with "pulpit talk."
And, I never laugh at a man who can really do it.
Takes talent.
Which means we all get to hear this stuff. How can Fred lose? He turns into a big and tall empty suit.
And, if he succeeds? He still has to pass Guiliani. (Did you know Pavarotti got his start in 1963, in an UNDERSTUDY ROLE at the Met?) Talent always out's itself.
Good luck to Fred.
Posted by skeptical | September 9, 2007 3:02 PM
All those NRO writers are liberal. And when Buckley declared Iraq lost before Reid, he finally showed his hand.
I can see Fred's appeal. He's got a glib and stalwart answer for whatever he's never thought about before, and he's about as knowledgeable as W and Reagan. He just has to out-resolute Giuliani. He could beat Hillary--if he shows up, and his announcement on Leno demonstrates that he can show up to the right place at the right time, and not even bother with the usual rough and tumble of a campaign. He could be right up there with W and Reagan, the Vacationer in Chief and the Napper in Chief.
These are great times for America. Rudy could rival Bill for Philanderer in Chief. Did I read that Fred's wife is younger than his daughter? That's very appealing to America. Who'd re-elect the dysfunctional duo when they have these choices?
Between Hillary, Kerry, and Gore, which one has less charisma? Help me out here.
Posted by Lord Whorfin | September 9, 2007 3:45 PM
Of course, we could wait and see what he has to say before judging, right?
Posted by crossdotcurve | September 9, 2007 5:58 PM
As for this whole "submit questions and we'll send back a video in 24 hours" pathetic, cowardly M.O.: hahahahhaahahahahaaa!!!
I guess Freddy can't handle a real-time Q and A. His peeps will select the questions they like, have a brainstorm meeting, poster-board bullet-points, then the writers will craft the message, and Fred "Herman Munster" Thomas will read the cue cards!
Now *that's* leadership! Paaaaaa-thetic!
Posted by RKV | September 9, 2007 6:21 PM
Laugh yourself silly, but you ain't getting answers to those questions from Rudy, McPain or the Mormon are you?
Posted by crossdotcurve | September 9, 2007 6:31 PM
Oh, I'm getting lots of terrific answers from the GOP candidates.
Evolution is false!
Double the size of Gitmo!
I was for abortion and gay rights before I was against it!
HAHAHHAHAHA!!! I love the non-reality-based community. Very entertaining.
Soon the adults will be back in charge....
Posted by Manchester Smit | September 9, 2007 11:38 PM
I love this quote from Fred about what distinguishes him from the other candidates, from Hannity & Colmes the day he announced:
"Well, uh, to tell you the truth, uh, I haven't spent a whole lot of time, uh, going into the details of their positions. I will be doing... I... I mean publicly. I obviously know where they stand and what they've done and what they've written. And there will be a time when we will need to have a good, uh, debate, if they're interested in debates, and we'll do it one-on-one and we'll do it in a big group, and I really want to do it, and we'll get into that. Right now, uh, I've got a lot of work to do about myself."
Posted by shelbysbest | September 10, 2007 8:32 AM
This is a great way to communicate with the voters. Even if most Americans do not research their candidates from the internet, those that do can direct them to the information, if they really want the answers. Captain Ed, thank you for participating in this Q&A event, and please let Fred Thompson and his team know just how much we appreciate it.
Posted by Long Haired Country boy | September 10, 2007 2:53 PM
CrossDot Curve....you mean the adults backed by Fidel Castro, and now Osama Bin Laden and paid for by China?
Yeah, those are the guys I want protectinig me. All they need now is for Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to endorse them.